A TALIBAN death squad has raided one of Kabul's most secure Western-style hotels in a daring night-time attack that killed almost 20 people and raised deep concerns about further suicide bombings in the capital.
Ten people, including hotel guests and staff, were killed along with at least six Taliban terrorists, and two New Zealand SAS troopers were wounded in the six-hour stand-off. No Australians were caught up in the crisis but security for the dozens of Australian soldiers, police and officials working in Kabul was stepped up after the assault.
It was just after 9.30pm and the poolside wedding party at the state-owned Intercontinental Hotel was in full swing when all hell broke loose. A six-man Taliban suicide team breached the perimeter of one of Kabul's best defended hotel complexes and went hunting for victims - preferably the local officials or Westerners who frequent the faded 1960s complex on an arid hilltop west of the city centre.
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Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the target had been a meeting of about 300 international and Afghan security specialists, however it is believed they struck too early as most were yet to arrive for the event.
One bomber blew himself up at the main checkpoint and in the confusion the others - some believed to be dressed in police uniform - ran into the hotel and started shooting.
Security forces had been expecting a major suicide bombing after detecting a 10-fold increase in the number of suicide vests seized this year.
As guests, including dozens of Afghan officials, barricaded themselves in their rooms the killers, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, moved from floor to floor in the five-storey building, gunning down anyone in their path.
The night sky was pierced by tracer rounds and the evening calm was shattered by several explosions.
Almost an hour after the attack began an Afghan Police Crisis Response Unit and their heavily armed mentors from the New Zealand SAS arrived in armoured vehicles. As they pursued the killers through the hotel, two of the Kiwi troops were injured when two cornered Taliban fighters detonated their suicide vests.
For more follow the link.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...e-hotel-in-kabul/story-e6freuy9-1226084533785
Ten people, including hotel guests and staff, were killed along with at least six Taliban terrorists, and two New Zealand SAS troopers were wounded in the six-hour stand-off. No Australians were caught up in the crisis but security for the dozens of Australian soldiers, police and officials working in Kabul was stepped up after the assault.
It was just after 9.30pm and the poolside wedding party at the state-owned Intercontinental Hotel was in full swing when all hell broke loose. A six-man Taliban suicide team breached the perimeter of one of Kabul's best defended hotel complexes and went hunting for victims - preferably the local officials or Westerners who frequent the faded 1960s complex on an arid hilltop west of the city centre.
RELATED COVERAGE
Taliban hotel siege leaves 21 dead The Daily Telegraph, 5 hours ago
21 killed in Kabul hotel battle The Australian, 9 hours ago
'Everybody was shooting and firing' The Daily Telegraph, 16 hours ago
5-star hotel terror raid Courier Mail, 16 hours ago
Guests targeted in Kabul terror raid The Australian, 16 hours ago
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the target had been a meeting of about 300 international and Afghan security specialists, however it is believed they struck too early as most were yet to arrive for the event.
One bomber blew himself up at the main checkpoint and in the confusion the others - some believed to be dressed in police uniform - ran into the hotel and started shooting.
Security forces had been expecting a major suicide bombing after detecting a 10-fold increase in the number of suicide vests seized this year.
As guests, including dozens of Afghan officials, barricaded themselves in their rooms the killers, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, moved from floor to floor in the five-storey building, gunning down anyone in their path.
The night sky was pierced by tracer rounds and the evening calm was shattered by several explosions.
Almost an hour after the attack began an Afghan Police Crisis Response Unit and their heavily armed mentors from the New Zealand SAS arrived in armoured vehicles. As they pursued the killers through the hotel, two of the Kiwi troops were injured when two cornered Taliban fighters detonated their suicide vests.
For more follow the link.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...e-hotel-in-kabul/story-e6freuy9-1226084533785
